YOVR DREAMS 422 MINE 




CHilVNCEY LIVINGSTON \VILTSE 




Class 

Book 

Copyright N^_ 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



Your Dreams and Mine 

BY 
CHAUNCEY LIVINGSTON WILTSE 




BOSTON 

SHERMAN, FRENCH &■ COMPANY 

1915 






Copyright, 1915 

ShEEMAN, FeENCH & COMPAKY 



SEP 241915 

^Cl./\410618 



Dear Hearts^ who somehow master Fate, 
Since someone cares for you, — 

This book to you I dedicate. 

To help your dreams come true! 



FOREWORD 

Go, verse of mine, and if you find 
A lonesome heart or two, 

Just whisper cheer into each ear 
The way I taught you to! 



CONTENTS 

DREAMDUST 

PAGE 

Dreamdust S 

The Resting Place of Better Things . 5 

You, AND the Path of Dreams .... 6 

My Kingdom 7 

The Vision 8 

Wanderlust 12 

A Dreamer 13 

ROSEMARY 

Rosemary . 17 

To One Who Smiled 18 

The Road to Used-to-Be 20 

White Shrine Memories 21 

To A Threshold 22 

Some Little Stone Steps 23 

ROMANCE 

My Guiding Star 27 

For You 28 

Rosy Days 29 

Moon-kissed 30 

To Kate 32 

Somehow 33 

One Little Hour with You .... 34 

And Yet! 36 

The Love-child 37 

Confessions 38 

Irish Eyes 39 

The Girl with the Lip-corner Smile . . 40 



HOME SONGS 

pIge 

Mother-love 45 

Home Hearts 47 

Dear Little Wee 48 

Dear Mother Mine 49 

Love Abiding 50 

Home 51 

Our Home 52 

TO LITTLES 

To Littles 55 

To Pigeon Pie 56 

Where Do the Wild Flowers Go? . . 57 

Wanted: a Weesome 59 

To Furries and to Flutterwings ... 60 

joygerms 61 

Snuggling Time 63 

Frost Elves 65 

The Moon and the Tall Pine Tree . . 66 

MISCELLANY 

To a Dawn-tinted Quartz Fragment . . 69 

The Stars 70 

The Pioneers 71 

To THE Winged Victory 72 

To the Real Sons of the American Revo- 
lution 73 

The Song the Engine Sings .... 75 

The Sword of the Old Frontier ... 76 

Star of the East 77 

To a Tree 79 



PAGE 

When Summer Says " Goodbye "... 81 

Cayuga 82 

To Eastern Stars 83 

Sunset Glow 84 

HERE AND NOW 

Content 89 

The True Blue's Creed 90 

The Primrose Way 91 

Just Folk Are We 92 

And Always Smile ! 94 

The Primal Call 95 

Waiting 96 

To One Who Sang 97 

Then Dare 99 

Comrades 100 

Heartsease 101 

Don't 102 

The Meadow Lark 103 

Results 105 

Persist! 106 

Keep 'Em Guessin' 107 

The Game of Life 108 

Just Be Yourself ! 109 

Kinship HI 

I Will Be Glad 112 



DREAMDUST 



DREAMDUST 

I'd scatter dreamdust into eyes 
Till they see good in everything ; 

A rosy glow on all below, 

And all about, a-song, a-wing ! 

Then would be peace of clasping hands, 
The paradise of love's content. 

The solace when heart understands, 
The calm to storm-tossed humans lent. 

The world would seem a-bloom, a-smile, 
With full reward for all who try ; 

Then would come true all your worth-while ; 
You'd meet your own of years gone by. 

What most you wished you'd truly find, 
Though buried in your Used-to-be ; 

The loved one whom you left behind, 
Would come to claim you, fancy free. 

Youth's springtime would be in your heart ; 

You'd hear life's birdsong as it flies ; 
A breath of rose would Time impart : — 

Shall Love put dreamdust in your eyes? 

Youth knows a dreamdust all its own, 
While Love feels one that lends it June, 

And Age, with memories lifelong grown. 
With stuff of dreams keeps hearts in tune. 
[3] 



But Fancy knows no age nor time ; 

It unlocks hearts despite their years ; 
It finds lost dreams of yours and mine : — 

By Dreamdust spell each reappears ! 

A song or two you can't forget, 
The sight of one you used to know. 

May fill your eyes with dreamdust yet, 
May set your very self aglow ! 

Here's hoping Fate may waft your way 
A song a-wing to banish sighs ; 

Here's hoping straight to you may stray 
She who brings dreamdust to your eyes! 

Hail ! you who put dreamdust in eyes 
Till they see good in everything ! — 

A rosy glow on all below. 

And all about, a-song, a-wing ! 



[4] 



THE RESTING PLACE OF BETTER 
THINGS 

Where go the wandering dreams, and where 

The perfume of a rose alone? 
Whence goes the brooksong over there, 

And whence has passing bird note flown? 
No human can an answer give, 

Yet we feel sure all such must wing 
Unto the dell where Memories live, — 

The resting place of better things ! 

All things worth while must find their own. 

From birdsong unto butterflies. 
From violet breath to star that shone. 

From flutterwings to shining eyes. 
From laugh of child to wind-sung pine. 

From wedding bell to songs heart sings, — 
All must be there, — your dreams and mine,- 

In resting place of better things ! 

Then let's not mourn that which seems lost ; 

Let's dry the tears lost beauty brings ; 
Let's feel it's waiting where it crossed 

To resting place of better things ! 



[5] 



YOU, AND THE PATH OF DREAIViS 

If you follow the Path of Dreams, 

There is heartsease at the end: 
All life's care and fret you will straight forget 

In your greeting with a friend. 
In the charm of memories sweet, 

All is restful as it seems ; 
You will not awake to sad heartbreak 

While you follow the Path of Dreams ! 

If you follow the Path of Dreams, 

You will find Love waiting there 
With a handclasp true which is just for you 

And a heart that will always care. 
You will find your heart's desire 

To be all your fancy deems. 
Why stray alone? Come to your own 

At the end of the Path of Dreams ! 



[6] 



MY KINGDOM 

My kingdom fair is the land of dreams, 
Where I cruise on fancy's sea, 

I set my sail by memory's gale ; 
My craft I name " Care Free." 

My crew are my dear ones of whom I 
dream ; 

I summon them from my heart ; 
They give delight to my fancy's flight, — 

In dreams we never part. 

My guiding stars are two memoried eyes ; 

The isle, " Might-Have-Been," I hail ; 
My course I set for bay " Now Forget " ; 

For the port, " Lost Love," I sail ! 



[7] 



THE VISION 

I DREAMED that I shot upward toward the stars, 
Borne as on whirring wings of fluttering white, 
On, on, and on, and ever upward still. 
In movement swift yet steady, firm yet sure ; 
E'en past the glowing glories of the stars, 
The shining signs of omnipresent power ; 
E'en up until they glimmered out below. 
Beyond, until their radiance was dimmed 
By whiteness' of a city of the air 
Which rose, resplendant, from a snowy cloud, 
Like, and yet unlike, anything I knew. 
An area of white and shining plains. 
On which bloomed roses, and from whence ap- 
proached 
Those I had mourned as lost, all clad in white 
As shining as their wings, — all smiling, too. 
As with a joy unmixed with mortal woe. 
Here were no harps, but only faces glad ; 
Here were some whom a church had never known. 
Yet who had trusted on, in simple faith 
Doing their part even unto the end. 
Here were the bloom of rose, the song of bird, 
Blended with distant music of the spheres. 
At once my father welcomed me and said : 
" Enter ye in, and find yourself content. 
All punishment is found on earth below ; 
Here all we know is joy, the sheerest joy, — 
Not in the pitter-patter of a string, 
[8] 



But in companionship of those we love. 
The faithful folk, and dog and bird as well, 
All, all are here to welcome such as you ! " 
"And God," I whispered gently. "What of 

Him? " 
He pointed to a distant flaming glow, 
The source of all the light beyond the heights. 
" There sits our loving Father, alwa3^s such, — 
At once Compassion for all erring men. 
At once a Brother in diviner sense, 
At once our Maker and our Father, too. 
Believing there is good in everything, 
And saving more of souls than you would dream ! 
He off^ers solace to the lonely bird ; 
While here the flowers may live and bloom again. 
To those on earth, both ill and aged souls, 
He ofl^ers all contentment, and a home, — 
A home of peace and light and joy and love, 
A home such as no mortal ever dreamed ; 
And all He asks is love for all, and Him ! 
You have been taught yourself that ' God is 

love ! ' " 
" The other place? " I queried, half-afraid. 
" Is down on earth, and in the heart of man. 
It is for him to conquer while below, — 
Himself, at first ; then all the foes of Light. 
His is the chance, — that is why he is there ; 
Else there would be but this, a place of joy. 
Earth is the testing-place, the furnace-forge ; 
The place where souls are tried, and many times, 
[9] 



And if found worthy, winged to place of rest ; 

But not till after lifetime long of trial, 

And not till after each has played his part 

Upon the stage of life till curtain-fall. 

Then are those called who faithful servants 

were, — 
Called out into the dark, to make the flight, 
Called even here, to Him Who made us all. 
Called each to drop his cross and choose a 

crown, — 
But rather those of roses than of gold. 
Of roses pink, and odorous of June ! " 
" And where are other friends, of other days? " 
He pointed. " They are waiting, up the 

slopes, — 
Some listening to the song of passing bird ; 
And others, to the music of the spheres ; 
And others, to the babbling of a brook 
That down below we thought had lost its way ! " 
" But may I linger? " I persisted then. 
" I'd like to stay near you, where roses bloom 
As out of snowy whiteness, and to see 
This Father Who has kept these birds asong. 
And made this resting-place for those who tried." 
" Go back and do your part," my father said. 
" Your work is not yet finished ; you return 
Even as you have come, but resting sure 
That I am here, and that I wait for you." 
That instant did I find myself aflight, 
Down from the shining fields which gleamed afar ; 
[10] 



Down past the star-belt of the whirring worlds ; 
Down, down, and further, even to this earth, — 
And even to my couch, where I awoke. 
Glad, glad was I to have seen father's face, 
To have been near the Father of us all. 
To have beheld where Joy and Love abide. 
Sung to by birds, with roses beckoning near ! 



[11] 



WANDERLUST 

The call to go, to venture on, 

Is born within hearts brave and true: 
To breathe the rose that sheltered blows, 

To reach fresh summits, still pursue ! 

Fair skyline summons footsteps up 
To sunrise goals which yet await. 

Who truly care, attain their share 
And drain earned nectar soon or late. 

Sheer joy there is in reaching goals; 

Persistence finds love's mating place ; 
He who long tries, — nor stops, nor sighs,- 

May yet taste rapture face to face. 

Here's to the spell of wanderlust, — 

Heritage of darers alone. 
Who yet see light while all seems night. 

Whose heartbeats beckon to their own ! 



[12] 



A DREAMER 

I'm glad to be a dreamer, 
A hearer of sweeter things ; 
My joys I keep while the world's asleep, 
My cares away I fling. 
I see within hearts deeper ; 
I taste the deep of life ; 
I find the more of beauty's store 
Where there is naught of strife. 
To me, the world seems kinder; 
In souls of things, I see ; 
To my sight near, the good appears, 
Though seen by few save me. 
Thus ever is the dreamer; 
He's more with life in tune : 
To him alone, life's sweets are shown ; 
His joys make all months June. 
He sees God in all nature ; 
Then tells the world his sight : 
Unto his eyes shines paradise; 
With dreams, he sings delight. 
'Tis good to be a dreamer; 
To read the soul of things ; 
To penetrate the intimate; 
Then that in verse to fling. 
'Tis good to be a message 
To aching hearts rejoice; 
'Tis well to find the good behind, — 
'Tis great to be a voice ! 
[13] 



ROSEMARY 



ROSEMARY 

Rosemary for remembrance 

When you are far away, 
A token true of one for you, 

Forever as today. 
Whene'er you see this token, 

Whatever may befall, 
Rosemary's for remembrance, — 

And for you first of all. 

Rosemary's for remembrance 

Whate'er the years may bring, 
Through joy or pain, her heart's the same; 

Her spirit seems to sing. 
When heartsick, tired, or lonely, 

You'll find this message true : 
Rosemary's for remembrance, — 

Rosemary is for you ! 



[17] 



TO ONE WHO SMILED 

She who once cast lovelight bright 
From her eyes into my heart 
Bids unto my love good night, 
Bids the lovelight to depart. 
Years have passed since was the space 
First she cast that sunbeam there, 
Painting on my heart her face, — 
Great gray eyes, brown ringlets fair. 
Till tonight has lovelight shone 
From those eyes into my heart ; 
Till tonight that glance, I own. 
In my life has played full part. 
Every joy that came to me 
My heart's smile made me more feel ; 
In each pain there seemed to be 
Gray eyes' light its pang to heal. 
Now the maid, who once so smiled 
That her smile shines yet tonight. 
Bids me keep her friendship while 
Thoughts of love are banished quite. 
'Tis her wish our love should end ; 
As she wishes, must it be. 
She whom love's farewell has penned, 
Her eyes once smiled love to me. 
Merely friends, our footsteps glide 
Into parted paths away ; 
Nevermore shall, side by side. 
Swift pass hours of life most gay. 
[18] 



All my heart thoughts I dismiss 
From tonight, while I implore 
Pardon that her hand I kissed ; 
To forget the love I bore. 
Soon may she forget, — 'tis meet, — 
E'er I saw her lovelit face, 
Or that e'er her vision sweet 
Found my breast a resting place. 
Ne'ermore shall my heart-beat's call 
Try to turn her heart to me ; 
Nevermore, for o'er is all, — 
She has made us fancy free. 
But while lasts this life of mine. 
While upon this earth I stay, 
Still within my heart shall shine 
Lovelit smile and eyes of gray. 



[19] 



THE ROAD TO USED-TO-BE 

Dear little Road to Used-to-Be ! 
You're in the heart of such as me ! 
You lead the way young footsteps knew, 
Where love once made some dreams come true ! 
You still lead on to sheltered spot 
Where heartsease is, — is not forgot. 
The years have brought me back to find 
Your way to peace I left behind. 
'Twas memory brought me back, you see, 
Straight by you, Road to Used-to-Be ! 
Would one could take my hand and go 
O'er you, dear Road of Long-Ago ! 



[20] 



WHITE SHRINE MEMORIES 

Here's to a shrine decked in snow-time with 
roses ; 

Here's to a face that I cannot forget ; 
Here's to a handmaiden, scattering posies ; 

Here's to a memory, flower-showered yet! 

Here's to shrine teaching : that Woman, all-car- 
ing; 

Soother of hearts even here, as above; 
Lender of self in a manner unsparing ; — 

Proves our best blessings are herself and Love. 

Here's to my dream, even as one supposes, — 
Dream of a handmaiden, queen of the 
throne, — 

Dream for her footsteps I scattered the roses ; 
Dream she was queen of all hearts, as my own ! 

Here's to the starlight, the singer, the roses ; 

Here's to a song, putting heartstrings in tune ; 
Here's to a handmaiden, scattering posies : 

Here's to a memory that's roses and June ! 



[21] 



TO A THRESHOLD 

From my vineyard nook I could catch a look 

At a luring face and glance ; 
Hear her little song as it winged along ; — 

How her dimples seemed to dance ! 

Through the lattice square of my shelter there, 

Called the spell of roguish lips ; 
And their laughing smile, as they quaffed the 
while, 

Seemed to somehow beckon sips ! 

Charm of comrade heart, she could thus impart 

In a way to Love enslave 
Through the very wile of her little smile ; 

With her eyes, herself she gave ! 

That I might keep true to^ my own, and you, 

I soon hastened far away 
Lest I might respond to those lips beyond 

That still seemed to whisper, " Stay ! " 

Yet my glance back turned to her eyes that 
yearned 
So their memory shines alway; 
And this pledge I drink: To a threshold's 
brink, — 
To her eyes that call today ! 

[^2] 



SOME LITTLE STONE STEPS 

Some little stone steps in my memory linger, 
Which led to a path that I cannot forget; 

This wound up a slope where a stream was the 
singer, 
A wee little stream that must be singing yet. 

Why should I remember these steps upward 

leading ? 

Why should this wee stream-song in memory 

dwell? 

There must be a reason why both I am needing, — 

And I know the answer, — yet I'd never tell ! 

A seat that's just two-size was at the top 
waiting, 

A little seat cozy, o'erlooking the town ; 
'Tis well it is voiceless, no secret relating, — 

How handy it was as the night settled down! 

From here, one could listen and hear the stream 
singing, 
That wee little stream that set heartstrings 
in tune; 
It's back to this spot that a longing goes wing- 
ing, 
A longing for streamsong at full of the moon ! 



[£3] 



Of course there is more in my longing than 
streamsong, 
Of course there was more in seat two-size as 
well; 
If that had been all, it would last but a dream 
long, — 
If you were in my place, why, you'd never 
tell! 



[24] 



ROMANCE 



MY GUIDING STAR 

When first I sailed the sea of life, 

I drifted far and wide ; 
Powerless to breast the waves' wild strife, 

My bark moved with the tide. 

Above the waves, a lowering sky 

All hope from me bereft 
Till suddenly light shone on high, — 

Your smile the darkness cleft! 

Then, filled with hope, my sail I set ; 

And, joyful, voyaged far: 
Upon my course I'm sailing yet, — 

Your eyes, — my guiding star ! 



[27] 



FOR YOU 

For you the canon stream seems softer singing, 
For you, more sweet the breeze sings through 

the pine ; 
For you the birds seem far more gently winging ; 
For you with fonder touch the moonbeams shine. 

For you, more fair the flowers wait your caress- 
ing; 
For you the Rockies gaze more watchful, too; 
For you is nature all her love confessing ; — 
For you is all my love, and just for you ! 



[28] 



ROSY DAYS 

Just to linger with your dearest near a stream ; 
Just to wander and to whisper and to dream; 
Just to spend a raptured while in her arms and 

in her smile ; 
Just to love life and not care what it may mean. 

Just no purpose but to love her, and today ; 
Just to clasp her and to wish 'twere thus alway ; 
Just to share the lasting bliss of a long, ecstatic 

kiss ; 
Just an hour within her arms upon the way ! 

Just forgotten are your crosses in the now. 
Smelling roses one forgets thorns anyhow ; 
After joying with your sweet, blithely you gray 

days may meet, 
For there's heaven in her nearness and the now ! 

And the memory of your rapture seems to last ; 
O'er your every day a brightness it has cast. 
As through life's trials you are going, you bear 

more through her kiss knowing ; 
And you conquer, blessed by raptures of the 

past. 



[29] 



MOON-KISSED 

What's the mystic, witching luring 
Of the gleaming summer moon, 
When its beaming sets us dreaming. 
Seeming putting hearts in tune? 

Why should boating set us gloating 
As we're floating, kissed by light? 
Who's divining charm of shining 
Of the star-bespangled night? 

Time not wasting, we are tasting 
All the hasting joy of this: 
Hearts as feather, we together. 
Naught may sever from our bliss. 

Moonbeams spilling; life love-thrilling 
We joy-filling as we float: 
We embracing, no hour wasting; 
Heaven tasting in our boat. 

I and dearie, we ne'er weary ; 
Just her near me gives delight; 
And the blisses of our kisses ! 
Are there misses? None, despite! 



[30] 



Here's to moonbeams ! Here's to star- 
gleams ! 
Here's what best seems: here's to herl 
Here's to boating, rapture gloating ; 
Here's to floating, hearts a-stir ! 



[31] 



TO KATE 

Hair kissed by the sunset glow, 
Eyes as sky of heaven blue, 

Has a maid I chance to know, 

One of those whose hearts are true. 

Face and manners, each most fair, 
Faith in Him who guides our way. 

These has she whose heart beats where 
One may find it any day. 

Face with sunlit smile alight. 
Fit to cheer the darkest hour. 

Power to banish darkness quite 
Hath this fair, unfolding flower. 

Hands to aid a soul in need, 
Willing quite life's work to do ; 

Hands to help life's plan succeed, — 
These she has, and uses, too. 

Feet most fleet to serve a heart, 

Ways most kind toward all she meets, 

Words to heal the sorest smart, 
Doth possess this maiden sweet. 

Dawn to dusk she strives alway. 
Leaving gladness in her wake; 

In return one may but say : 

" Blessed be thy footsteps, Kate ! " 
[32] 



SOMEHOW 

Always somehow seem to care, 
Seem to miss you everywhere ; 
Somehow feel your wiling smile; 
Somehow want you all the while. 
Miss you most at eventide, — 
Somehow want you by my side. 
Would that fairies grant my prayer ; 
Would you'd somehow seem to care ! 



[33] 



ONE LITTLE HOUR WITH YOU 

One little hour with you, 

Making our dream come true, 

Finding rest in your arms alone, 
Feeling for now you are my own. 

Finding the bliss I always do, — 

One little hour with you ! 

Together 'neath love's stars! 

Naught may our kiss bliss mar ! 

Wrapped in your arms beside the stream. 
Hearing its love song as we dream, 

Knowing our own dream has come true, — 

One little hour with you ! 

Having what we both long ; 

We, where we both belong! 

Each clasping close the one loved best. 
Each for this hour to be caressed, — 

Then to be parted long years through : 

Yet this dear hour with you ! 

Long may seem parted years ! 

Bitter the lonely tears ! 

Still is one's heart-shrine memory bright 
Of this long rapture of tonight ; 

Sweet will it last our lone lives through, — 

One little hour with you I 

[34] 



The stars may miss you, dear ; 
So will the brook, I fear ! 

Each night the stars will look for you ; 

The brook will call, — stop singing, too! 
The wind will call, and soft : 
" Where's she I caressed oft? " 

While I will walk where bliss I knew, 

Wishing one hour with you ! 



[35] 



AND YET! 

I, WHO am wed, must watch the game 

That other pairs play on, the same ; 
Must look unmoved on shining eyes ; — 

My only function, to advise! 
Must just a mere bystander be. 

Regardless of the lips I see ; 
Though Time and Maiden may command, 

Must never seem to understand. 
So Duty speaks, though Love, despite. 

But shows how dimples may invite ; 
Insists an answer to the wile 

That beckons best within a smile ! 
My way is plain ; my course is set ; 

I will obey, — and yet, — and yet ! 

When Beauty calls, — as beauties do, — 
God only knows the end, — do you ? 



[36] 



THE LOVE-CHILD 

Her eyes are soft and deeply blue, 

While gold glints in her hair, 
She has the rose-pink skin that matches this. 

She shows a simple dimple, and she seems both 
coy and shy, — 
Now why is it one can't forget this miss? 

She is a love-child dainty, 

Made of the w armth of love ; 
'Twas Cupid put the sunshine in her eyes. 

He put the music in her voice, the glint that's 
in her hair ; 
He filled her heart with joy in magic wise. 

Spirit of youth is she, — of life and love ; 

A passion flower of beauty God has made ; 
Her smile's alight with kindliness shed from a 
love-fired soul, — 

Such smiles full part in destinies have played. 



[37] 



CONFESSIONS 

Astronomy I do not know ; 

Through telescopes I've not looked far, 
Yet I love when the lights are low, — 

For then I've seen them make a star ! 
So take my hand. Star Sister mine ; 

Be not afraid, — the rest are far. 
I wish to me you'd take a shine : 

My, but I'm glad to see a star ! 



[88] 



IRISH EYES 

Of all eyes shining out beneath our skies, 
Of all eyes whose fond welcome never dies, 
Of all eyes that all ever idolize, 
The ones that speak straight to our hearts, 
Are Irish eyes. 

Irish eyes, where the sweetest greetings rise; 
Irish eyes, where the warmest lovelight lies; 
Irish eyes, where a heart to shine out tries; — 
This world is kept a-momng just by Irish eyes! 

Of all eyes that all wrong the most despise. 
Of all eyes never putting on disguise, 
Of all eyes that seem made to sympathize, 
Of those found true from first to last 
Are Irish eyes. 

Irish eyes, where the sweetest greetings rise; 
Irish eyes, where the warmest lovelight lies; 
Irish eyes, where a heart to shine out tries; — 
This world is kept a-moving just by Irish eyes! 



[39] 



THE GIRL WITH THE LIP-CORNER 
SMILE 

You may pledge every girl you admire, 

You may toast every charm they possess ; 
You may find each has what you require ; 

And if so, then I wish you success. 
Still my own is the peer of them all ; 

She will win your heart after a while ; 
Once your glance on her falls, you are hers, — 
that is all ; — 

She's the girl with the lip-corner smile. 

You may prate of a dimple or two ; 

You may boast how an ankle may lure ; 
You may rave over eyes deeply blue ; 

You may toast a face shy and demure ; 
You may tell of some rosebud lips sweet, 

Of the cupid's bow mouths that beguile ; — 
Just you wait till you meet, — and you'll be at 
the feet 

Of the girl with the lip-comer smile ! 

It's a smile that can somehow entice ; 

It's a smile that seems waiting for you ; 
It is one that you want to see twice ; 

And it beckons to hearts not a few. 
Where its lure hes I cannot explain, — 

Still its charm grows on you all the while; 

[40] 



So I'll leave it to you, for you'll straightway 
pursue, — 
Whom ? The girl with the lip-corner smile ! 



[41] 



HOME SONGS 



MOTHER-LOVE 

Oh, mother-love is the sweetest love 

That ever a heart has known ! 
'Tis what she feels when o'er her steals 

A worship all her own ! 
'Tis made of the warmth within her heart ; 

'Tis made of her lovelit eyes ; 
'Tis made of the rest of her pillowing breast ; 

'Tis like a paradise ! 
'Tis shown in a thousand ways and more, 

Each day and all the years ; 
And a thousand crosses has it bore. 

And it has been wet with tears. 
But despite the crosses, despite the tears. 

To its own it is always true ; 
Though it sore is tried, it will never chide, 

But lives on the long years through! 
Oh, the greatest love is this mother-love, 

Which trusts on unto the end; 
Which will always care, and has love to spare 

Though lost is one's every friend ! 
Aye, blessed of God is the mother-love 

Which lingers and trusts and cares ; 
And the angels write she has soul all white 

Whom such mother-love yet bears ! 
But the mother-love is too great for words. 

It must just be felt and known; 
And the greatest bliss is a mother's kiss ; 

It's her heart's love for her own ! 
[45] 



Oh, great is the warmth of the mother-love ! 

It can dry repentant tears ; 
It can shelter keep ; it can lull to sleep ; 

It can banish weesome's fears. 
Oh, dear is the memory of mother-love ! 

When the mother has passed to rest. 
It can guide our way while on earth we stray ; 

It will make us do our best. 
Here is to the power of this mother-love 

To guide all our steps alway ; 
All is made worth while by a mother's smile 

Both forever and today ! 
There is always the rest of two waiting arms, 

And a sweet and heart-deep smile; 

And there is the rest of her proffered breast 
While her words guide us from harms ! 
Oh, sacred and dear is this mother-love ; 

From her deep heart's shrine it springs ; 
Life is made worth while by our mother's smile. 

By her voice, which her love sings ! 
Here's to mothers all, and to mother-love 

Which is ours, and all the while ; 
And the more sons yearn, it the deeper burns 

In her eyes and heart and smile ! 



[46] 



HOME HEARTS 

Home hearts are best ! 

This I've found true, 

As all the years I've travelled through ; 
And at the end must be confessed: 
Home hearts are best ! 

Home hearts are best ! 

Where'er I go, 

The ones behind, full dearer grow; 
In every trial or kind of test, 
Home hearts are best ! 

Home hearts are best ! 

For trouble tried, 

For lonely souls whate'er betide. 
For longing folk by care oppressed. 
Home hearts are best ! 



[47] 



DEAR LITTLE WEE 

Dear little Wee ! you've come to me, 

And somehow fill my heart ! 
And ever3rw^here I find you there ; 

You so yourself impart 1 

Full often you make dreams come true 

For lonelies that you see. 
Both creatures small and totsomes all 

Say : " That's my little Wee ! " 

Full part you play in every day, 

With hands that never rest ; 
So here is to, dear Weesome, you ! 

All hearts are yours, confessed! 

You sunshine bring to everything; 

A home with love you fill! 
You love plants so, they blossoms show; 

Start song of Flutterwing! 

Long may your smile soothe us the while; 

Thank God, you came to me ! 
From head to toe, I'm gladsome so 

'Cause you're my little Wee ! 



[48] 



DEAR MOTHER MINE 

Dear Mother mine, 

What love is yours ! 

Through all the years of smiles and tears, 

It yet endures ! 

Your smile still lends 
Heartsease to me ; 
All I need do is look into 
Your eyes and see ! 

How tired am I 

Across the miles ! 

I need the rest found on your breast, — 

Blessed by your smiles ! 



[49] 



LOVE ABIDING 

There is no love like mother-love. It lasts 
When all else fails and all is lost ; and then, 
In silence and in sadness and in tears, 
It offers her forgiveness and her arms ! 
In all the errors of our yielding youth, 
In all our weakness of maturer years. 
In us, her own, it sees no faults, but holds 
A welcome and a refuge in her heart ; 
And in her voice, as in her yearning eyes, 
A sanctuary that is ever ours. 
And when at last she passes heavenward, 
The memory of her mother-love remains. 
And seems to linger near where she has been ; 
Into our heart of hearts it finds its way. 
To there abide and comfort us betimes ; 
Guiding our way, even at brink of sin ; 
Beckoning us back unto the way she trod. 
Back to that better way that leads above, 
Where God gives rest to every soul who tried. 



[60] 



HOME 

Home is best. Its lasting grace 

Calls you to its resting place ; 

Lures your feet to rest awhile ; 

Beckons you to sit and smile ; 

Somehow gets into your heart, 

In the shrine of things apart, 

Dearer than all else beside, 

Where you linger and abide 

In your fondest memory, — 

Haloed scene of Used-To-Be ! 

Place where you and yours were born ; 

Where you grew, and conscience formed; 

Where you spent your early years. 

Blent of sunshine and of tears ; 

Where your mother watched o'er you ; 

Made your childhood dreams come true ; 

Where you found the welcome warm 

Of her dear and loving arms ; 

Where you thought that all worth while 

Was at home and in her smile ; 

Where the glad hours slipped along 

With you happy, and a-song ; 

Where your loved ones passed away, 

Smiling, to the endless day : 

Of all places dearest grown. 

All hearts own their choice is home! 



[61] 



OUR HOME 

Our home ! The resting place of weary hearts 

Within the comfort of a mother's smile ! 
Where care is not, — and nothing save ourselves 

And those for whom we care. A fireside nook, 
A few books, — and our own ! Who wishes 
more? 

Enough is here, if followed right, to lead 
Me to the stars, — in thought just now, and then 

In spirit after death. What love can do 
To cherish, and to comfort, and to smile ; 

'Tis spur to all best in us, leads us on. 
And guides us at the brink, through thought of 
ours. 

A home and loved ones, — blessed are they 
both 
And each for each, and for us, for all time ; 

Both do us good ; both welcome, comfort us ; 
And both surround us with the comfort that 

Love gives unto those made its own indeed. 
Blessed is home and all the dear ones there. 

Whose presence makes it so ! Their memory 
lasts, 
And guides our footsteps all the lonely years. 



[53] 



TO LITTLES 



TO LITTLES 

Here's to the littles all about, — 

From Mousie down to cricket wee ; 
From Furrie small to toadies all ; — 

The cheerers-up of you and me ! 
Here's to the fairies of the dell ; 

To Humming Bee ; to Butterfly ; 
To creatures spry, with shining eye, 

That scamper here upon the sly. 
Here's to the busy beaver band ; 

To Mr. Get-There Cottontail, 
Who scurries here, to disappear 

Ere dawnsome hour makes Starries pale. 
Here's to all flutterwings of air; 

To every wren that's to be found ; 
And bless the soul of every mole. 

And every tunneller underground ! 
Here's to the littles everywhere, 

All busy rushing to and fro ; 
To kiddies small, our littles all, — 

Our weesomes, who love littles so ! 



[55] 



TO PIGEON PIE 

(Aged four) 
In jour eyes there is a twinkle, 

Pigeon Pie ; 
When you smile, you show a dimple, 

Pigeon Pie. 
On a not far distant day, 

When your eyes come into play. 
You'll have hearts to give away. 

Pigeon Pie. 

When your dimples work men's finish. 

Pigeon Pie, 
Your smile won't their fate diminish, 

Pigeon Pie. 
Let me drop this small hint here, 

When you let your choice appear. 
Have me win out, won't you, dear 

Pigeon Pie! 

An old bach I will be then, 

Pigeon Pie ; 
You'll dismiss such grouchy men. 

Pigeon Pie. 
Still, if old cranks you'd beguile. 

This I crave, — once in a while 
Smile on me then your sweet smile. 

Pigeon Pie! 

[56] 



WHERE DO THE WILD FLOWERS GO? 

Where do the wild flowers go ? Just guess ! 

A question of all weesome years. 
Each season sees them less and less ; 

They go to sleep, and disappear. 
No one can answer this, I fear. 

Though weesomes really beg to know. 
They are on tiptoe just to hear, — 

Can you tell where the wild flowers go ? 

The sorrel and wild violet, 

The glory of the rose of June, 
The laurel while the dew is wet, 

The bloom wealth 'neath the August moon, — 
All will be passing, all too soon ; 

Each season further hid they grow. 
No wonder little voices croon, — 

" Can you tell where the wild flowers go ? " 

As grown-ups come, the wild things flee. 

For they are very, very shy ; 
They love just by themselves to be. 

Or just with tots and fairies by. 
Big humans' touch they wish to fly ; 

In lost retreat they'd rather grow: 
Yet who can tell us, you and I, — 

Can you tell where the wild flowers go ? 



[57] 



They do not die, but fall asleep ; 

They're waiting somewhere else, I know. 
Perhaps, some day, and far away. 

We'll see where all the wild flowers go ! 



L58] 



WANTED: A WEESOME 

Before my fire at twilight time, 

Would some tot on my knees might climb 
To look into the glow and see 

The welcome there along with me ; 
To watch fire fairies dance along ; 

To even hear their little song! 
At moments when you're most alone, 

You want a weesome all your own ! 

Within the middle of the night 

You want a cuddle's soft delight ; 
A mother only understands 

The solace of wee, groping hands ! 
'Tis she alone who best can guess 

The comfort in a wee caress. 
A blessing bundle, — dearest known, — ' 

Is just a weesome all your own ! 



[59] 



TO FURRIES AND TO FLUTTERWINGS 

Here's to the little furry folk of earth; 

To all who scamper and to all a-wing : 
To all whose chatter brings to lonelies mirth ; 

To all who flutter, since they mostly sing ! 

Here's to the chirpers of the Now and Here, 
Who've told their gladness all the way they 
knew! 
Here's to wee creatures, born without a fear, — 
What would we do without them, — I and 
you? 

Their friendship won is ever ours to claim ; 

Their j oy in life they never fail to tell : 
Here's to the cheer they lend, always the same, — 

Hail, wee, bright-eyed joy tellers of the dell! 



[60] 



JOYGERMS 

A JoYGERM in young systems lurks, 

Which urges : " Turn things upside down ! " 
In moments still it busy works ; 

It seems to say : " Paint up the town ! " 
It puts the twinkle into eyes ; 

It starts the wind which skirtward goes ; 
It prompts the thought which mischief tries. 

Can you suppress it? Goodness knows ! 

Of Halloween it is the sprite ; 

It governs April Fool as well ; 
It makes folk sneeze when solemn quite ; 

It starts something where youngsters dwell ; 
It causes snowballs swift to fly ; 

And even into choirs it goes ; — 
Whenever head to head is nigh, 

What may befall, the Joygerm knows ! 

Nor is to youth Joygerm confined ; 

It's as contagious as can be ! 
Before we know it, it may find 

A lurking place in you and me ! 
Your wink betrays you've caught it, too ; 

I'm sure you feel it in your toes ! 
I fear I've taken it from you : 

What won't I do ? The Joygerm knows ! 



[61] 



Here's to all Joygerms in the air, 

A panacea for our woes ! 
Let's give them welcome everywhere ! 

Yet if we should — Only suppose ! 



[62] 



SNUGGLING TIME 

When the night time comes, 

When the day is done, 

Baby climbs on Mamma's knee. 

Over is his day ; 

He is through with play ; 

And he begs : " Now sing to me." 

Head on Mamma's breast, 

He is close caressed 

In the old familiar way ; 

And his eyelids close ; 

Soon he finds repose 

As he hears his mamma say : 

Snuggling time^ 

On my lap you climb, 

Cuddle tight in loving way; 

Safe from harm 

In Mamma's arm. 

Sheltered stay! 

Head upon my breast, 

Close your eyes and rest; 

Be glad you are liere and mine; 

There's no joy for Mamma's Baby Boy 

Like when it is snuggling time! 

Baby's soon asleep 
In a slumber deep. 
Nestled tight in Mamma's arm ; 
[63] 



Little lips still smile 

As he dreams the while, 

Slumbering in the shelter warm. 

As she gazes down 

On his ringlets brown, 

Still she sings this lullaby ; 

Softly now she croons 

The same soothing tunes 

Till he dreams there's angels nigh : 

Snuggling time. 

On my lap you climb. 

Cuddle tight in loving way; 

Safe from harm 

In Mamma's arm. 

Sheltered stay! 

Head upon my breast. 

Close your eyes and rest; 

Be glad you are here and mine! 

There's no joy 

For Mamma's little boy 

Like when it is snuggling time! 



[64] 



FROST ELVES 

Here's to the frost elves of the night, — 
To all their pranks ; to Jack, their king, — 

Who scatter whiteness with delight. 

With feathery flakes that downward wing. 

Here's to their dances by star light ; 

At window pane, their frolicking ; 
Here's to each little merry sprite, 

And all the little songs they sing ! 

Here's to each flake bespangled tree 

In glory of the dawning hour ; 
Here's to each sprite whose work we see 

In tracery of elfin power ! 

Here's to their rompings through night air, 
Their wafting sparkles as they go ; 

Here's to their flutterings everywhere. 
Blessing with shine coats trees below ! 



[65] 



THE MOON AND THE TALL PINE 
TREE 

The old moon peeped through the tall pine tree, 

And what do you think he saw? 
Some birds asleep in its branches deep, 

And a wee-filled nest of straw. 
And the old moon smiled at the birdies wild ; 

And soon these words let fall : 
Said : " I must be kind to all wees I find. 

For I have no wees at all ! " 

The old moon spoke to the tall pine tree, 

And what do you think he said ? 
" I must not shine bright lest too much light 

Might wake each little head ! 
I'll ask the breeze that rocks the trees 

To sing of drowzy eyes." 
" I love wees, too, as much as you," 

The tall pine tree replies. 

The old moon smiled in a happy way, — 

And why do you think he did.'' 
He was glad to see each nested wee. 

And he thought of others hid. 
" It's dear to be a little wee ; 

It's dear, such wees to find ! 
I can't be small to match them all, — 

But I'll be just as kind!" 

[66] 



MISCELLANY 



TO A PAWN-TINTED QUARTZ 
FRAGMENT 

(From the Colorado Rockies) 

Hail, fragment cast by frost-gods from the 

crest 
Of the uplifting hills ! Rose-tinted yet, 
As with the dawn-glow of creation's hour ! 
Reflecting back to us and those to come 
The flamings of a Maker's primal fires ! 

What could'st thou tell to us, if thou could'st 

speak ! — 
Of all the ages since the birth of things. 
Even since the upheaval of the hills ; 
Of all the whisperings of savage tribes ; 
Of all the mutterings of beasts at bay ; 
Of all the scamperings of elves by night ; 
Of all the singings of the very winds ; 
Of all the lonesomeness of all the wild ! 

What could you tell of hardy pioneers ; 
Of earnest seekings-forth along the slopes ; 
Of the privations of the early days: 
Of all the raptures of the quest of gold : 
Of the heart-hungerings of those who tried ; 
Of all the prayers in the silences 
That just the pines, and stars, and hill-crests 
knew ! 

[69] 



THE STARS 

The stars, eyes of the dark, — the lookers-down, 

Through all the distance and through all the 
years, 
On all the aching hearts athrob with us. 

On all love-raptured, and on those adream ; 
Those place-agrasp, and those who sad-eyed 
yearn ; 

The seers of the seekers after life 
And clinking gold and souls ; the gazers at 

The many battles lost, at sundered hearts, 
At disappointed hopes, at tears, and at 

The fleeting boast of puny, groping men ; 
The eternal eyes, that, seeing, know us best. 

Since looking long on us through hours of 
night ; 
The shiners-forth of hope, since being fired 

By touch omnipotent ; the blazing sign 
Of God and of His power, set o'er aU eyes ; 

And for all nights now spent, and yet tonight, 
Gleaming His message to a weary world. 



[70] 



THE PIONEERS 

The pioneers ! What storms they braved ! 

What distances, what trials beside ! 
Though all they met, their path beset, 

They moved ahead, — they always tried ! 

The vision of a future West 

Shone ever in each heart and mind ; 
Each wrought and strove his most and best, 

Nor paused to rest or look behind. 
Though blizzard howled; though want op- 
pressed ; 

Though disappointment well defied ; 
Each face to face met every test ; 

Each moved ahead, — and always tried ! 

Across the range these men have passed ; 

Hearts brave and true have earned their rest. 
And true has come their dream at last, — 

Their sons, enjoy this modem West! 
For this how strove each pioneer ! 

For those to come, what was denied ! 
What sacrifice ! What lack of fear ! 

Each moved ahead, — and always tried ! 

Here's to each daring pioneer, 

With Love and Courage as his guide ! 

Our comforts, — aye, our West now here, — 
We owe to them who always tried ! 
[71] 



TO THE WINGED VICTORY 

Fair, winged one, still soaring on, 
Embodiment of life and joy, 

Serene you fly across the sky. 

Dispensing love which quells annoy ! 

A paean of victory you sing, — 
The victory of love, of light ; 

A joy to sing, to sweep a-wing, — 
A j oy of heart in forward flight ! 

What glorious womanhood is yours ! 

A form that gods might envy well; 
In every line a form divine, 

Your soaring self holds us in spell ! 

Hail, Winged Victory of Fate ! 

Symbol of love, dispelling fear ! 
You only care to live and dare, 

To fly a-song, all now and here ! 



[72] 



TO THE REAL SONS OF THE 
AMERICAN REVOLUTION 

I SING of those of yesteryear 

Who pledged their lives to liberty, 
Who filled war's ranks without a fear, 

Who planned a nation yet to be ! 
For Freedom's cause they blazed the way 

For Duty's sake they strove, it seems ; 
Let's sing these makers of Today 

Who saw America in dreams ! 

Far greater than to realize 

Is first to plan something worth while ! 
The founder of world enterprise 

Looms vaster than the finished pile. 
Builders of nation such as ours. 

The planners of a land supreme. 
Surely God lent to you His power, — 

Who saw America in dreams ! 

Let us revere hearts brave and true 

Who fought to make a nation free; 
They builded better than they knew. 

Who shed their blood for liberty ! 
Hail to them, every one who fought, — 

Here's to their very camp-fire gleams ! 
For 'twas America they wrought; 

They saw America in dreams ! 

[73] 



Sons of our Revolution they, 

Deserving heart's love and esteem ; 

They wrought our heritage today : 
They saw America in dreams ! 



[74] 



THE SONG THE ENGINE SINGS 

When the spark fires the engine, and it with life 

responds ; 
When every piston's throbbing as if to break its 

bonds ; 
When all parts strive together, such energy it 

brings 
That one may hear, resounding clear, the song 

the engine sings. 

It sings a love of labor, as if of its work glad ; 
It sings of earnest effort, — united, never sad ; 
Its pleasure in endeavor, on waves of sound it 

wings. 
The spark that fires, a song inspires, — the song 

the engine sings ! 

It sings a song of action, and yet one of con- 
tent ; 

It sings a joy in duty, in energy well spent. 

Its little hour of power out in its throbs it flings, 

In throbs which tell of work done well, — the 
song the engine sings ! 



[75] 



THE SWORD OF THE OLD FRONTIER 

The sword of the old frontier 

That never has known a fear 1 
The sword of the true and brave ! 

The sword only drawn to save ! 
The sword that we pledge tonight ! 

The sword of the cause of right ! 
The sword that we somehow love full dear ! — 

The sword of the old frontier ! 



[76] 



STAR OF THE EAST 

Deep in the darkness of history's pages, 

Wise men, while watching the heavens afar, — 
Men well endowed with the learning of ages, — 

Sprang to their feet at the sight of a star ! 
With a sky sprinkled with star-worlds which 
twinkled. 

Why should a fresh one, astonishment bring? 
This was the reason : since seen at that season, 

Our world it told of the birth of a King ! 
Led in their search by this herald celestial. 

The wise men followed, — it leading the 
way,— 
Till, at the end of its journey terrestrial. 

Silent it shone where the Child Jesus lay ! 
With touch refreshing. His cradle caressing. 

Did the soft star-rays in shower silvery fall. 
Happy star, beaming, glittering, gleaming, — 

Guardian star of the Master of all ! 
Reaching the One over whom the star hovered. 

Prostrate in worship the wise men there fell ; 
Then, when the gifts they had brought were un- 
covered. 

All sought their homes the glad tidings to tell. 
Hosannahs singing. His Spirit earth-bringing. 

Angels the portals of light set ajar. 
Jesus, our Saviour, within lowly manger 

Opened His eyes at the light from the star ! 

[77] 



Done is the work of the One sought by sages, 

Gone are those wise men, the star led to Him : 
Still on His birth month, each year, all the ages, 

Still does that star shine, and ne'er is it dim ! 
Beaming down brightly both daily and 
nightly, — 

We may not see it, but angel eyes do, — 
Bearing His greeting, each Christmastide seek- 
ing 

Welcome from everyone, welcome from you ! 
Each heart within which a star-ray once enters 

Straightway is filled with the Christmastide 
cheer : 
While the star shines, in each being there centers 

Goodwill to everyone, peace to all here ! 
So when kind feelings are o'er your soul stealing 

During the days of the glad Christmas time, 
Glinting and gleaming, as o'er Jesus dreaming, 

Bethlehem's Star on your heart does then 
shine ! 



[78] 



TO A TREE 

How you welcome us, O Tree ! 
Whispering leaves so beckon me, 
Singing low their soothing song ; 
Well-loved nests in such belong ! 

Tree, whose lifelong shelter's spread, 
Like a blessing, overhead, — 
Sanctuary from the sun 
Unto every weary one ! 

You lend comfort to the small. 
Home to birds and furries all ; 
You have braved the lightning stroke 
With a courage born of oak ! 

You have towered the years along, 
Ever with your leaves asong, 
With a message for the ear 
Of the one who tries to hear ; 

Whispering : "Be brave, he true; 
Lend yourself in all you do ; 
Do your part your lifetime long. 
Brave the storm, and keep asong! " 

Long may you so solace, Tree, 
Singing to the world and me ! 

[79] 



When shy moonbeams on you glance, 
Fairies 'neath your branches dance ; 
In your boughs at dawn of day, 
Waking birds pipe out their lay ; 

In the noon of burning heat, 
Sweethearts tell love at your feet ; 
Ere the hour that sun has set. 
Sunset hearts 'neath you have met. 

All the days of every year. 
All rejoice to find you here. 
Those away, to see you yearn ; 
Joy to find you on return. 

All hearts love for you have known ; 
Each one claims you as his own ! 
Long may footsteps lead to you ; 
Hear you sing how dreams come true ! 

Long may your song cheer us. Tree, 
Comforting the world, — and me ! 
Singing: " Come, all longing you! 
Do your part, and dreams come true! '' 



[80] 



WHEN SUMMER SAYS " GOODBYE " 

The crickets' little chirp is heard ; 

The screech owls interruption make ; 
The katy-dids the chorus stirred ; 

The goldenrods nod, half awake. 
The blooming things must slumber take, 

For Jack Frost waits with watchful eye ; 
Before they know, the spell he'll break, — 

The time when summer says : " Goodbye." 

The browns and golds of fall are due ; 

The squirrels are laying up their store ; 
The geese to southland lately flew ; 

The soothing, singing breeze is o'er. 
The north wind in its turn will roar, 

And claim quite all he may espy ; 
The butterflies away will soar, — 
The time when summer says : '' Goodbye." 

ENVOI 

'Twill go where others went before ; 

It passes where must you and I ; 
Yet let's be glad, — though it is o'er, — 

Glad when our summer says, " Goodbye ! " 



[81] 



CAYUGA 

Cayuga, glory of Creator's power, — 

Whether rose-dimpled in the kiss of dawn, 
Or mirroring blue the smiling skies of noon, 

Or flame-suffused from sunset afterglow; 
Whether all gray with hint of coming storm, 

Or green with angry tempest foam beflecked, 
Or silvered 'neath caresses of the moon ; 

Whether at peace, in majesty of calm. 
Or ruffled with the breeze, or torn with strife 

Of breaking billows, crashing forth their 
wrath — 
Forever fair, in all of many moods. 

Forever humanlike, yet most divine 
Even as we ; the bodying forth, as both 

In nature and in life, of calm, of peace, 
Of rest, of storm, of strife, indeed, of all 

The gamut that we feel and know and are 
Of daily forming, daily shifting moods. 

Fair lake of ours, that God has set before 
Our weary eyes to solace and to greet. 

To show the power of anger and of peace ; 
A lake, full fair, that gets into our hearts 

And lingers there, and leaves a memory sweet. 



[82] 



TO EASTERN STARS 

To all who twinkle here tonight, 

To all who wink in skies afar, 
Accept this pledge, — I mean it, quite, — 

I'm truly glad to be a star ! 

Shine on, all stars, shine every night ! 

Be stars in some one's sky, you've known ; 
Just twinkle kindness and keep bright 

Till all hearts cry : " I'm glad you shone ! " 

There's room for every star to shine; 

More shadowed hearts need gleam's delight. 
For beams of joy, all lonelies pine ; 

I'm glad to be a star tonight ! 



[83] 



SUNSET GLOW 

An angel, from a flight to earth just back, 
Before the presence of his Master knelt. 
" Of all the sights thou saw'st, excepting souls. 
What thought thou the most fair ? " so spake the 

Lord. 
" The golden glory of the sunset hour. 
When sinks the sun within a flame-gold sea 
Which folds it o'er and sheaths it from men's 

view; 
A flame-gold sea which gleams with such a glow, 
So richly radiant, yet so soft withal. 
It seemed to me that as I saw it shine 
Full beauteous upon me and the world. 
That in the perfect blend of gold and flame 
Each soul might see a sign by Thy hands made. 
Revealing unto them Thy wondrous power. 
Slow did descend the deepening blue of night, 
Causing to fade away that happy glow, 
Until, of all that weave of matchless shade, 
But one fair thread of ruddy glint remained. 
Clinging most closely to the rim of earth. 
At length the dark this, too, shook from its hold, 
And sped it to the resting-place of dreams. 
This forms my humble prayer : of Thee I beg. 



[8*] 



With Thy right hand, which hast formed mighty 

men 
And whirhng worlds and everything that is, 
Thou'lt, stooping, save a portion of that glow 
As wafted o'er the earth at that brief hour ! " 



[85] 



HERE AND NOW 



CONTENT 

What matter though the skies be gray, 
If patch of blue we contemplate? 

What though snows deep beset our way, 
Since violets beneath them wait. 

What matter if the Infinite 

Is veiled unto our mortal eyes? 

Who could make worlds would not omit 
Creation of a paradise. 

What matter if some doubt and fear? 

What matter if some cannot see? 
We know God made the roses here ; 

It is enough for you and me ! 



[89] 



THE TRUE BLUE'S CREED 

Then be true blue, and be alive ! 

Believe in life, believe in you ; 
Believe in God of here and now ; 

Believe in making dreams come true ! 
Just be true blue, and do your part ; 

Be good as good, but not too-too ; 
Be first to cheer each lonely heart; 

Be always there, and always you ! 

Just open up your purse and self; 

Shoulder your fate, nor look behind! 
Just " be a star in someone's sky " ; 

And everywhere be always kind ! 
Remember we are just folks all. 

That lonelies wait for you to cheer. 
Leave smiles where'er your footsteps fall, 

And make them glad that you appear ! 



[90] 



THE PRIMROSE WAY 

There is a path that's primrose, 

Runs through a garden fair 
Where passion flowers through summer's 
hours 

Shed each a perfume rare. 
But winter comes upon them, 

As unto you and I: 
Why may frost kiss a primrose? 

Why must a primrose die? 

There is a way called Primrose 

Which youth's glad footsteps tread ; 
Where beauty blooms an afternoon ; 

Where soon the perfume's shed ; 
For soon they droop and wither. 

And fall asleep some day. 
It's memory of past posies 

That haunts the Primrose Way. 



[91] 



JUST FOLK ARE WE 

Just folk are we, despite our boast ; 

Within, we're humans, every one ; 
Our pride's a fleeting thing at most ; 

The highbrow type we ever shun. 
We've likings that we can't outgrow ; 

We're Adam's children, — you and me ; 
Then let's be glad we are made so, — 

That deep within just folk are we. 

We've kinship that we must admit 

With all that breathe of human kind ; 
We've impulses that never quit, 

That beckon each and every mind. 
Though chance has placed our station high, 

Though full of culture as can be, — 
What's born inside none can deny ; 

We still must feel just folk are we. 

The key to joy is ours just when 

We show the brotherhood we feel ; 
Sharing best brings content to men ; 

Responsiveness, rewards appeal. 
Let's, then, our pedestal descend. 

And learn all comradeship can be ; 
In mingling, find our truest friend ; 

Be grateful that just folk are we. 



[92] 



No matter what we own or wear, 

Or whom we are supposed to be, 
Inside we're human as we're bare, — 

Within our hearts just folk are we. 
Let us be glad that it is so ; 

That each may brother's keeper be ; 
Let's answer the heart-call we know. 

Rejoicing that just folk are we! 



[93] 



AND ALWAYS SMILE ! 

It's just the accident of birth 

That puts us into different shoes ; 
Within our hearts is born our worth ; — • 

Then let us not our place abuse. 
Remembering human brotherhood, 

Without which nothing is worth while, 
Let's go about us doing good. 

And always, always, try to smile ! 

Our place may be a thing of chance, 

And anyhow we should be kind ; 
So think of kinship as you glance, 

And leave a memory fair behind. 
He today low, may yet be high ; 

May us supplant after awhile ; 
When then he judges you and I, 

He'll feel best toward who tried to smile ! 

Whoe'er you be, be ever kind ; 

Keep sweet above your earning pile ; 
Keep glad the memories left behind, — 

It's braver hearts who tried to smile ! 



[94] 



THE PRIMAL CALL 

The primal calls in each of us, 

Deny its summons though we will. 
A. challenge lies in woman's eyes ; 

The lure of capture beckons still ! 
Though culture deem us as her own, 

Though each convention we obey, — 
Within us still a venture thrill 

Commands us yet in heart today ! 

Despite what vows we may have made. 

Despite society's veneer, — 
The primal calls to each and all 

To venture in the now and here ! 
It is a summons of the heart. 

Call of the wild to you and me ; 
It does not care, but bids us Dare ; 

It urges : " Live, love and be free ! " 



[95] 



WAITING 

Where'er man goes, and nearly all the while, 
Some woman waits, — and waiting, seems to 
smile ! 



[96] 



TO ONE WHO SANG 

A TINY katydid once fell 

Into a furnace shaft of air ; 
Could not escape, hence stayed to dwell 

Within the dusky shadows there. 
Save overhead, no light came through; 

No food was there, or anything ; 
Yet only cheer the creature knew, 

For every day it tried to sing ! 

Long must the days down there have seemed, 

No comrades near with it to dwell ; 
A human might full well have deemed 

Its resting place a prison cell. 
Yet lonesomeness it did not know; 

It just was glad of everything! 
It chirped, — nor dreamed of fear or woe ; 

It always, somehow, tried to sing ! 

It daily sang its little song ; 

Its lifetime brief it just was gay. 
It chirped the many hours along ; 

That it was happy, seemed to say. 
Even at night its voice was heard 

In note more joy than anything; 
Whenever this the silence stirred, 

It always, somehow, seemed to sing ! 



[9T] 



Its cheery voice seemed stilled at last ; 

No merry note came from below. 
We missed it; felt that it had passed 

To where joy-givers surely go. 
Then, after days, one night we heard 

Its chirp of gladness gaily ring: 
Even grim Death it yet deferred, 

Because it, somehow, had to sing! 

Let's not forget this chirper wee 

Who voiced its joy, although unfed; 
Who somehow sang to you and me ; 

Nor mourned its lonely fate instead ! 
Praise one who just would not be sad. 

But was content, more than a King ! 
Praise one who where he was, was glad ; 

Who always, somehow, seemed to sing ! 

There's something here, if you but list : 
Never say die ; your spirit fling t 

Chirp at your fate, and still persist, — 
And always, somehow, seem to sing ! 



[98] 



THEN DARE 

Conventions hedge us round about; 

A pattern life is ours to try : 
Since others follow, without doubt 

Custom would fetter you and I. 

Yet why not vary now and then ? 

Stand on our feet and walk alone ! 
Those only are remembered when 

They blaze a path their very own ! 

'Tis only those who seek that find, 
While pattern folk are soon forgot. 

The risker who no rule will mind 
Full often wins ; the rest do not. 

All history tells of those who dared 
Success despite conventions known. 

He who defies, so much has cared. 
His spirit leads him to his own ! 

Therefore, just be yourself, and live ! 

Be unafraid ; lead on, alone 1 
Conventions only fetters give, 

So throw them off and find your own ! 



[99] 



COMRADES 

Comrades are we to all that sing, 

From mountain pine to lulling stream, 
To all that soar, from cloud to wing. 

To all hearts kind, to flowers that dream ; 
A brother to the waiting hills, 

To all the fleet feet of the wild. 
To butterfly, to daff'odils, — 

So even are we Fancy's child ! 
Then own our kinship to the rocks. 

And to the fairies of the dell. 
Unto the dust, unto star flocks. 

And even to old Ocean's swell. 
There's kinship for our every mood, 

Would we but look about and see ; 
Some comfort waiting to be wooed. 

Glad to be one with you and me. 
Let's claim these comrades that are ours. 

Open our hearts to all who sing ; 
Let no step crush our sister flowers ; 

Welcome our own, who their all bring ! 
We, then, need never feel alone. 

For, lo, we've comrades everywhere ! 
About us are our very own ; 

From brother dust to stars of air ! 
From elves of dell to blossoms blown, 

From beckoning pine to trip of deer, 
From breath of rose to stardust sown, — 

Behold our comrades all are here ! 
[100] 



HEARTSEASE 

There is heartsease waiting still 
For all weary souls God knew; 

Enter in and find your own, — 
There's one heartful just for you ! 

Breathe flower's breath as dreamtime comes ; 

Let kind words sweet memories make ; 
Peace will find you when you plan 

Doing good for others' sake. 

Just let birdsong fill your heart, 
Faith of child that's unafraid; 

Pass on smiles to someone tired, — 
Of these things is heartsease made! 



[101] 



DON'T 

Don't sit down in too snug content ; 

Keep reaching out ; be unafraid ! 
Remember, you're for others sent ; 

Don't look on life as dress parade. 
Keep moving, lest you somehow rust ; 

Keep something doing since you came ; 
Don't go to sleep before you must ; 

Don't sit too early in the game ! 

Each prize worth while must first be earned ; 

They are for him who plugs away ; 
Their winner long ago has learned 

That he must strive, and every day. 
He knows persistence and its worth 

In seeking anything you'd name ; 
If you wish aught upon this earth, 

Don't sit too early in the game ! 



[102] 



THE MEADOW LARK 

Low on the ground she builds her nest, 

Yet hidden safe from passerby. 
With precious eggs close to her breast, 

She hovers o'er with watchful eye ; 
And should disturbance make her fly. 

Close to her own she'll linger near, 
Calling with cheerful, loving cry : 

" Come here, come here, come here, come 
here! " 

And when her wees are hatched at last, — 

Such helpless, fluttering birds-to-be, — 
She fills each eager bill a-gasp ; — 

How proud, indeed, a mother she ! 
She greets her babies with a song ; 

Though blind, they know that love is near ; 
She croons to them the hours along: 

" Come here, come here, come here, come 
here! " 

Long after they are taught to fly, 

They love to hear their mother's voice. 
As weesomes do, like you and I, — 

Such notes of cheer make hearts rejoice. 
There's reassurance in them, too, — 

A welcome birds and I find dear ; 
Just listen and she'll sing to you : 

" Come here, come here, come here, come 
here! " 

[103] 



Dear meadow lark, sing on alway 

Your comfort call to lonelies here; 
To folk heartbroken, croon today: 

" Come herCy come here, come here, come 
here! " 
Grant, when, — our last hour almost nigh, — 

We pause upon death's brink in fear, 
Some heavenly meadow lark may cry : 

" Come here, come here, come here, come 
here! " 



[104] 



RESULTS 

We get what we go after 

Throughout this life of ours ; 
Insist, and you'll get roses ; 

Be teary, — you'll have showers ! 
It all depends on seeking, 

Nor quitting till you find; 
Persistence wins the pippin 

And makes Dame Fortune kind. 
Reach high, and keep on reaching ; 

Grip tightly, hard, and fast ; 
'Most every prize worth having 

You will attain at last. 
When others say, " You're lucky," 

Just keep this deep inside, — 
The secret's keeping at it; 

Here's to the ones who tried ! 



[105] 



PERSIST! 

Persist ! — Such is the magic key 

Unlocking barriers at the end : 
Persist ! — And you will one day see 

The summits by the path you wend. 
Keep on the road, nor look behind ; 

Sight of your golden dreams insist. 
Whoever seeks will surely find ; 

The world is his who will persist ! 

Take no one's word who hope denies ; 

Fear not, but of yourself be sure. 
All comes to him who ever tries ; 

All things are his who will endure. 
Count on your victory in the end ; 

With scorn each doubting word resist ; 
Make hope and simple faith your friend ; 

The world is his who will persist ! 

The secret of success is here, 
Of little else does it consist, — 

Shoulder your load and never fear ; 
The world is his who will persist ! 



[106] 



KEEP 'EM GUESSIN' 

When in life you'd have some fun, 

Keep 'em guessin'. 
If you'd have folk on the run, 

Keep 'em guessin'. 
Should you tell, they'd know the cue 

To 'most everything you do ; 
If you want the winner You, 

Keep 'em guessin' ! 

Though you plan the simplest lark. 

Keep 'em guessin'. 
All you do, just keep it dark; 

Keep 'em guessin'. 
Telling breeds a lot of talk; 

Rumors grow to haunt and mock. 
If you'd win out in a walk. 

Keep 'em guessin' ! 

So 'most everything you try. 

Keep 'em guessin'. 
Lest success should pass you by. 

Keep 'em guessin'. 
While it's easier to tell. 

Tongues will wag just like a bell ; 
Soon you'd be as sorry, — well. 

Keep 'em guessin' ! 



[107] 



THE GAME OF LIFE 

Within this game of life are we; 

Fate pulls the strings and we obey. 
A little while we think we're free ; 

A little while the game we play. 

We do not care when our turn's o'er ; 

We're glad to think we've had our chance 
We do not care to play once more, — 

We'd rather watch the others dance. 

For all are toys of Fate at best, 

Moved here and there at her caprice. 

We briefly answer her behest. 
Until she bids our move to cease. 



[108] 



JUST BE YOURSELF! 

" You ask advice ! " Grandfather said ; 

" What all men seek, but fewer live ! 
But since it's you who would be led, 

And since you urge, then I must give ; 
As all the years I've travelled through, 

Trying to leave a smile behind. 
This teaching best I've found and true: 

Just be yourself ! and always kind ! 

" Just be yourself ; whate'er betide. 

Do not attempt another's part ; 
Do not desire a self beside 

The one God placed within your heart ! 
Just be sincere, — always the same ; 

At every moment tried, found true, 
Till others, though of greater name, 

May wish, in truth, that they were you ! 

" Just be yourself ! To other be 

Might cost your very truest friend 1 
Be like the guiding star you see. 

Upon whose shine you may depend. 
Unto the end just do your part; 

Assert the you that calls inside, 
Till it is said : * He speaks his heart ; 

He's just himself; in him confide! ' 



[109] 



" Don't play a part but just your own, 

And keep a smile, whate'er you do ! 
Stand on your feet ; reap as youVe sown ; 

And face the fate that comes to you ! 
Just let your heart shine through your eyes ; 

Serene, bear every cross you find! 
The one who wins wears no disguise ; 

Just be yourself ; and, more, be kind ! " 



[110] 



KINSHIP 

Just folk are we, — yes, every one ; 

Our Fate has placed us high or low. 
Knock out our props, and down we come 

To grovel in the dust below. 
Then let us show our brotherhood ; 

Let's use this kinship we awoke ; 
Let's try to do each other good ; 

Let us be glad we are just folk. 

We are just folk flung in a game, 

Given by chance a part to play. 
And though some pass as kings by name, 

The cast may change 'most any day. 
So, since we realize the plan. 

Before some power our place revoke. 
Let's own the brotherhood of man ; 

Let's now be glad we are just folk. 

" Our brother's keeper," that are we. 

With a command to " feed my sheep." 
Let's help such brothers as we see. 

For " as we sow, so shall we reap." 
Let's lend a hand to lonelies' aid. 

Nor wait till they our help invoke ; 
Let's be world-brothers, unafraid ; 

Let's thank God that we're all just folk! 



[HI] 



I WILL BE GLAD 

I KNOW the time will come for me 

To drop my pen and go to sleep. 
I hope that I may some day see 

Where one kind Shepherd guards His sheep. 
But if I've left behind one line 

Whose finding leaves a heart less sad, 
I'll have fulfilled my heart's design, 

And I'll be glad, so very glad. 

To wing a thought that soothes a heart, — 

What better thing can human do? 
To rhyme some lines that joy impart 

Makes brighter days for me and you. 
If line of mine makes dream come true. 

If verse I pen may heartsease add, 
I'll feel repaid for all I do, — 

And I'll be glad, so very glad ! 



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